Disaster Response

Our Approach

Since 2004, GlobalGiving has been shifting decision-making power to crisis-affected communities through trust-based grantmaking and support.
Nepal Earthquake Relief by ActionAid USA

Help Communities Recover

GlobalGiving makes it easy, quick, and safe to support local communities in the aftermath of disasters and humanitarian crises. Learn more about how you can help people in need right now.

How It Works

We partner with thousands of locally led organizations around the world to put crisis-affected communities in the driver's seat of recovery.

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We listen to our network and conduct research to assess the scope of the crisis and impact on communities.

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We launch a GlobalGiving fund, raising money from donors who want a quick, safe, and easy way to help.

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Companies that want to help also turn to GlobalGiving for our grantmaking expertise.

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We get money within days to vetted nonprofit partners providing life-saving relief—and this is just the start of our support.

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Our work with local leaders and crisis-affected communities spans multiple years and covers diverse needs.

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Communities build strength to address current and future disasters, while donors get regular updates about their long-term impact.

Our Approach

Since 2004, the GlobalGiving community has responded to more than 1,000 disasters and crises in 175+ countries, raising millions of dollars for locally led responses that are often overlooked and underfunded.

What sets us apart? Our focus on sharing power, eliminating barriers to equitable disaster recovery, fostering strong relationships, and providing long-lasting support so communities are better prepared for future disasters.

GlobalGiving's Commitment To You

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Trust
Our local partners know their communities best and are trusted to deliver long-term solutions.
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Accountability
Every nonprofit in our community is fully vetted for impact, transparency, and accountability.
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Security
We are the preferred choice for 500+ companies that want to power local disaster response—safely and quickly.
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"Looking out for each other as if we are friendly neighbors or family, in my opinion, will spread hope far more effectively than any virus."

Anonymous
COVID-19 Relief Fund Donor

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"We were the first face many of the residents saw after the hurricane. We were the first ones to come to help and verify that this is not a lost cause."

Mario Núñez Mercado
GlobalGiving Partner, Enlace Project

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"Meta is committed to building community and connecting people from across the world, particularly during times of crisis..."

Kylie Holmes
Head of Global Crisis and Disaster Response, Meta

In the Media

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Local Aid Groups Are Key To Disaster Relief. So Why Are They Overlooked?
By Malaka Gharib
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Hawaii Wildfire Update: Maps Show Where Maui Fire Spread, Is Contained
By Nick Mordowanec
The New York Times logo
How to Help Earthquake Victims in Turkey and Syria
By Ben Shpigel

A Trusted Partner

GlobalGiving is a top-rated nonprofit, trusted by Charity Navigator and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance for stability, efficiency, sustainability, and transparency. Our funds have been recommended by The New York Times, the Associated Press, NPR, The Washington Post, Oprah, and more.

You can be part of the solution for communities in need.

Explore tips, tools, and resources to deepen your disaster response.

Donate now

Meet the Disaster Response Team

Allison Conroe
Allison Conroe
Associate, Disaster Response
Sandrina da Cruz
Sandrina da Cruz
Director of Disaster Response
Amelia Hoover
Amelia Hoover
Program Manager, Disaster Response
Victoria Méndez
Victoria Méndez
Senior Associate, Disaster Response
Sarah Rahman
Sarah Rahman
Program Manager, Disaster Response
Chase Williams
Chase Williams
Senior Program Manager, Disaster Response
Kyra Zimmerman
Kyra Zimmerman
Senior Associate, Disaster Response
Send us a message

Please send press and media inquiries to media@globalgiving.org.

Frequently Asked Questions


How do I know I can trust my donation to GlobalGiving?

GlobalGiving is a top-rated (4-star) charity on Charity Navigator. We are also accredited by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. We've been recommended by experts in thousands of articles, including these:

Most importantly, our nonprofit partners have reinforced the value of our approach time and time again:

"We're thankful for GlobalGiving's leadership in supporting local long-term disaster recovery, and we're grateful for the trust and collaboration we have come to expect from the GlobalGiving team. GlobalGiving's support enables us to say 'yes, we can help' to our neighbors who've heard 'no' far too many times. GlobalGiving's approach is worth investing in; it should be considered a model for the future of disaster recovery collaboration." - Imani Daniel, Executive Director, St. Thomas Recovery Team

If, at any time, you're not happy with how your funds have been used, we also offer the GlobalGiving Guarantee.


Where does the money donated to your funds go?
All donations to GlobalGiving funds will support immediate relief and long-term recovery efforts in the region(s) affected by the specifically described disaster or crisis. Typically, money is first sent to help meet the most urgent and immediate needs, including the provision of shelter, medical care, food, and clean water. Once initial relief work is complete, money from a fund will be allocated by GlobalGiving for longer-term recovery efforts—largely led by local organizations. All of GlobalGiving's nonprofit partners are vetted.

What's GlobalGiving's history with disaster response?
GlobalGiving has responded to +1,000 disasters since 2004 and often has long-standing relationships with nonprofits in disaster-prone areas. We also work with global organizations that specialize in emergency response and disaster recovery. Our partners provide a range of services in areas such as disaster recovery, health care, education, and economic development. GlobalGiving leverages its existing partnerships to provide relief to disaster survivors and, if necessary, vets and adds local partners to our networks in the area.

What makes GlobalGiving different from other nonprofits?

Here's how disaster recovery at GlobalGiving works: the GlobalGiving community is made up of large and small nonprofits from 175+ countries. When disasters and crises strike, we are committed to connecting donors to vetted organizations responding to needs in the impacted communities from the initial emergency relief phase through the mid- and longer-term recovery. We often support international or regional first responders in the initial stages of relief. However, we believe local, community-led organizations are best positioned to assess and respond to needs in the medium- and long-term. We listen carefully to what these local leaders deem most critical. Our view is that community-led organizations possess critical knowledge about their communities and can nimbly and effectively navigate unique dynamics in their region. Getting funds to them benefits communities directly, quickly, and with longer-term impact. Learn more about our approach.

Read more about how this approach has helped:


How long will it take for my money to get to disaster-affected areas?
Your donation can be on the ground within a week or less. (This is rare for most organizations that aggregate funds as we do!) Our commitment to support local nonprofits and medium- and long-term recovery means we are deliberate about how, when, and where we disburse donations. When funds allow, we continue to disburse funds over multiple years because recovery does not take place overnight.
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